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The INDEPENDENT, December 3, 2009
Between the Bookends
By Susan Cackler, Library Assistant
Banks Public Library
The holiday season is upon
us. If it snuck up on you, too, it’s
not too late to come to the li-
brary and get inspired. Check
out cookbooks for cookie inspi-
ration and craft books for gift
ideas. We also have books on
the many holiday traditions
around the world and many of
the classic holiday movies.
Also, if you would rather buy than make your crafts,
check out the Friends of the Library’s table at the
Union Point Cemetery Dinner and Bazaar on Satur-
day, December 5 in the cafeteria of Banks Elementary
School.
The season for inclement weather is also upon us.
If the roads are snowy or icy, be sure to call the library
at 503 324-1382 before you come to make sure we’re
open. Remember, most items can be renewed over
the phone or via the internet. If you are unable to re-
turn items on time because of weather conditions, be
sure to let the library know.
Thanks to everyone who came out and supported
the Banks Public Library at Barnes Noble on Novem-
ber 13 and 14. There was a good turnout especially for
the craft night and Closet Confidential author reading.
We have added many movies to our selection in the
past couple of months through purchases and gener-
ous donations. Winter is the perfect time to catch up
on movies or TV series that you have missed. Be sure
to browse our DVD selection the next time you are in.
Join us for craft night and enjoy some lively conver-
sation while you work on your favorite craft. Come and
meet some new friends or visit with old ones while us-
ing the library’s work space and enjoying some light
snacks. This is the perfect opportunity to work on
Christmas cards or other crafts. Join the Friends of the
Banks Public Library on Wednesday, December 9
from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the community room.
Wi-Fi is now available at Banks Public Library. This
allows anyone with a WCCLS library card and a lap-
top, iPhone, iPod Touch or mobile device to access the
free public wireless network and there are no ses-
sion/use limits. Patrons will need their patron barcode
number and password to log on. While patrons will be
able to access the internet without a time limit, they will
not be able to print on library printers. Visitors without
a library card can be issued a temporary guest pass.
Join us for Preschool Story Time on Wednesdays at
10:15 a.m. in the community room of the library. Story
Time is designed for children aged three to six, but
younger siblings are welcome. There won’t be any sto-
ry time on December 23 or January 3. This month Miss
Cathy will read stories on the following themes:
December 2:
Don’t Forget Your Mittens
December 9:
Bird Brains
December 16: Happy Holidays
The Friends of the Banks Public Library can always
use your support. You can make a tax deductible do-
nation, become a member, or volunteer. Money that
the Friends raise helps the library purchase Cultural
Passes, upgrade equipment and purchase books and
movies.
Remember that Swatco is no longer offering recy-
cling on the second Saturday of the month.
On the Shelf:
Ax Men. The first ever non-fiction series about the
lives of Pacific Northwest loggers is now available on
DVD. We have both season one and season two. The
scenery will be very familiar, as some of us see these
areas every day. These shows are a good chance to
learn about an industry that has shaped this area for
decades and continues to influence it. You may even
see someone you know.
The Unfinished Angel by Sharon Creech. Creech is
the author of many excellent books for children and
young adults. Her latest novel is set in the ancient
stone tower of the Casa Rosa in a tiny village high in
the Swiss Alps. For one angel, life has been the same
for as long as she can remember, until a determined
young American girl named Zola arrives. Zola and the
angel are about to collide. Figs will fly and the whole
village begins to wake up. Zola is a girl with a mission.
The story is funny and endearing; another winning tale
from an accomplished author.
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton. This novel is
Crichton at his best: a rollicking adventure tale pulsing
with relentless action, crackling atmosphere, and
heart-pounding suspense. The tale is set in the
Caribbean of 1665 on the island of Jamaica. Port Roy-
al is a cutthroat town of taverns, grog shops and
bawdy houses. Captain Charles Hunter makes a living
trying to get his hands on Spanish gold. A galleon is
set to come into harbor and Hunter is scheming on
how to raid it.
Banks Public Library: 111 Market Street.
Hours: Mon., Fri., Sat., 11 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Tues., Wed., Thurs., 11 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Preschool Story Time: Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m.
Phone: (503 ) 324-1382 for information
Internet: www.wccls.org
Browse library resources, reserve or renew
materials online. Call for information.
Tips given for choosing the right toy for your child this Christmas
Children need toys just as
adults need tools for their par-
ticular jobs because play is of-
ten described as the work of
children.
The national average for the
number of toys a child received
during the holiday season is
about 12. Most children are sat-
isfied with 3 or 4 new toys. If a
Pet of the Month
Columbia Humane Society in St. Helens has a variety of wonderful pets
available for adoption. Find the pet that’s right for you in the shelter
at 2084 Oregon Street. Phone 503-397-4353
Open Mon - Fri 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 am. to 5 pm.
Nala is a very sweet girl. She is
very active and will need lots
of room to run. She tends to
not get along with most female
dogs but loves to have the fel-
las around. She seems to like
the water (she wades in our
pools) and loves long walks;
she walks well on a leash.
Come and visit her if you inter-
ested in making her a member
of your family.
The Columbia Humane Society is a No-Kill non-profit shelter
dedicated to helping friends find each other since 1985.
This Adopt a Pet is Sponsored by:
Senator Betsy Johnson
child receives too many new
toys at once, he may become
overwhelmed in deciding what
toy to play with.
To eliminate the frustrations
of too many toys, select toys
with the child’s needs and inter-
ests in mind. A well-balanced
selection of toys is needed for
the child’s total development.
Toys might include:
• Toys for physical develop-
ment like push and pull toys for
younger children, and wagons,
sleds, and swings for older chil-
dren.
• Toys to develop sensory
skills through play with a variety
of materials. Water, sand, pots
and pans are all possible ex-
amples. Anything that can be
SAFELY touched, tasted,
smelled, looked at, or listened
to would be helpful.
• Toys for make-believe and
developing social skills might
include dolls, play cars, trucks,
and accompanying play sets.
These toys don’t need to be ex-
pensive. Many simple house-
hold items like clothing or dis-
carded kitchen materials make
great play “props.”
• Books and puzzles are also
considered toys and should be
readily available to children.
Plain paper and crayons can be
helpful in developing a child’s
creative skills.
The simpler the toy, the bet-
ter, a toy should be flexible for a
variety of uses. Toys need adult
supervision, but little, if any,
adult instruction. Toys should
not be purchased with the idea
of allowing the child to “grow
into” the toy. Follow the age
guidelines found on the toy
packages and labels.
These guidelines take into
consideration a child’s age,
physical size, skill level, and
safety concerns. Many toys de-
signed for older children may
not be safe for infants and tod-
dlers. These toys may have
small pieces which can be
swallowed. or mechanisms too
complicated for the young
child.
There is no way to insure
that every toy purchased will be
the best toy. Be considerate of
the child’s age, interests and
current developmental needs
and you will come closer to se-
lecting a toy which is the best.
Source: Leanna Spengler, Human
Development Specialist, University
of Missouri Extension